Pupils help shatter apple-eating record

A new world record involving Fernridge School pupils and apples has helped welcome new principal Janine Devenport to the Masterton school.

Ms Devenport, an old girl of Makoura College, started as principal at the decile 4 school early last week and, by Friday, took her place alongside almost the entire school roll of 170 pupils as they took part in the Jazz Apple Big Crunch world record attempt for the most people eating an apple simultaneously.

Fernridge School teachers Kim Sutherland and Sarah Harrowfield had co-ordinated the Fernridge involvement, which was part of a nationwide bid organised by fruit marketing group Enza.

Lakeview School pupils were also involved along with more than 60 other primary schools across New Zealand.

A live countdown to the attempt had been broadcast by Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker on Classic Hits FM to co-ordinate the world record and simultaneous "crunch".

The event aimed to promote healthy eating and an optional dollar coin donation was sought from participating pupils at Fernridge School for donation to children's charity Kidscan.

Enza marketing manager Rosstan Mazey said the world record bid had shattered the former record of 9329 set by the Whitehall Schools District in Michigan.

Mr Mazey said scrutineers on Monday confirmed the new world record with 10,613 pupils counted as having bitten into their apples at the precise time of 2.13pm on Friday. A final count would be released later today.

Ms Devenport, who is also deputy chairwoman of the Wairarapa REAP board, said the successful event had helped create an epic launch for her new tenure after having already enjoyed "an outstanding powhiri" welcoming her and three new pupils earlier in the week.

Ms Devenport takes the helm at Fernridge School after working since 2007 at Tinui School as a teaching principal, a role she began after spending two years as deputy principal at Martinborough School and earlier teaching at Waterloo School in Lower Hutt.

"Fernridge is a bigger school that has got amazing potential. It is somewhere I have been wanting to work and this is a promotion for me really."